[Aisling Troy]

I really liked this idea. Especially using song to further engage the children. What a great idea to explore magnets as the follow up activity. I have made note of this lesson and will be trying it with my own class next year.

[Aisling Troy]

For my Senior Infants classroom, an inquiry-based activity should be playful, hands-on, and encourage children to ask questions and explore. Here’s an example using the topic “What Floats and What Sinks?”.

ENGAGE – Prompt / Wonder / Explore
Show the children a bowl of water and a selection of objects (stone, leaf, spoon, toy boat, cork, coin, sponge).
Ask:
What do you notice about these objects?
What do you think will happen when we put them in the water?
Why do you think that?
Let the children handle and discuss the objects before testing them.

INVESTIGATE – Starting Question / Predicting / Conducting the Investigation / Interpreting Results
Starting Question:

Which objects will float and which will sink?
Predicting:

Children predict whether each object will float or sink by placing it under a “Float” or “Sink” picture card.
Conducting the Investigation:

One at a time, children place the objects in the water and observe what happens.
Encourage discussion:
Did it float or sink?
Was your prediction correct?
Interpreting Results:

Record findings on a simple chart with pictures.
Discuss patterns:
What kinds of things floated?
What kinds of things sank?
Did anything surprise you?
TAKE THE NEXT STEP – Apply Learning / Making Connections / Thoughtful Learning
Challenge children to build a boat from foil or recycled materials that can float and carry counters or toy animals.
Ask:
How can we make our boat hold more?
Where else do we see floating and sinking in everyday life? (e.g., bath time, boats, ducks).
REFLECTION
Gather the children together and ask:

What did you learn today?
What surprised you?
What would you like to investigate next?
Children can draw one object that floated and one that sank and explain why they think it happened.
This activity develops scientific inquiry skills, including questioning, predicting, observing, recording results, and reflecting, while matching the learning approach recommended for Senior Infants.

[Aisling Troy]

Hi my name is Aisling and I teach Senior Infants. I have always had an interest in STEM. One of my favourite space facts is that space is completely silent.

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